Southern Africa

• Be flexible. Game drives and safari tours have a lot of unpredictable elements, from weather to wildlife. Safari operators are incredible at making things happen, but there is a lot out of your control. If you are patient, you'll almost always find something incredible. 
• Invest in some nice camera equipment and binoculars. Long range lenses are are a must. Get familiar with your equipment before hand, and make sure to pack additional battery packs and memory cards so you don't miss a moment. 
• Be ready to rise early. Animals are most active at dawn and dusk, which means getting an early start on the day. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to relax in the midday when it's too hot for the animals to be active. 
• End your day with a sundowner. It's the best way to finish a day out in the bush. Not familiar with. a"sundowner?" We recommend looking itup. 

Southern Africa safaris conjure up the images we all have of famous wildlife game drives and sipping coffee in a field tent in the bush or on the elevated decks of a luxury resort in the wild. In Southern Africa, all your safari game drive are organized by the lodge or camp where you are staying, which means everything is provided as part of your experience. When you arrive, you'll meet your guide and tracker, and will likely tour around the area or reserve near the lodge, meaning that the team will have intimate local knowledge of the area. 

In Southern Africa, safaris are often on private reserves, with a big exception for the lodges located inside Kruger National Park in South Africa. East Africa may be known for a higher density of wildlife, but that is spread over a much greater area. The benefit of these lodges and private reserves are that the wildlife is more densely concentrated. It may be a smaller land area to explore, but with private safaris it is unlikely that you'll bump into anyone else. This privacy, paired with the limited occupancy lodges,  is a huge advantage for those looking for luxury and seclusion. 

Southern Africa also allows for a diversity of cultural experience. This could mean shopping and dining in Cape town, exploring the history and art of Johannesburg, or even wine tasting. This region also varies in climate and ecology widely. You can be at the beach, in the city, in the mountains, and into the bush all in one vacation. Depending on the time of year, the environment may be more lush green than the amber high grasses and plains that we all picture when thinking about a Safari.